By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The first ever Seed Festival in Meghalaya was held at Williamnagar on Saturday. The festival was part of the initiative of the District Basin Development Unit, East Garo Hills under Meghalaya Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood Promotion Program (MIBDLP).
Seed Festival is a platform where farmers can come in and procure the seeds of various crop species.
During the festival, farmers also availed various technical knowhow of modern methods of cultivation practices or post harvest management practices. March-April is the sowing season and most of the farmers do not have many options when it comes to seeds. The seed market is not fully developed in Williamnagar or Tura. So, the Seed Festival also acts as a seed market where sellers and buyers meet, said East Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Vijay Mantri.
During the Seed Festival in Williamnagar a total 17 stalls were put up which were occupied by Government approved seed suppliers from Guwahati, Tura and Williamnagar. Some of the prominent nurseries in Garo Hills also participated in the Seed Festival. JR Marak, District Horticulture Officer, and John H Marak, District Agriculture Officer spoke to farmers on best agricultural practices and also answered various questions from farmers.
Two more seed festivals will be conducted in the district: one in Songsak on April 9 and another in Rongjeng on April 13.
